Meeting of the Great Generals in the Desert.

[SkaForHire]

So I did a quick build (and quick photos) of a scene which helps move some story along. I figured since the guilds were getting testy with each other, it was time that some representatives came together and talked. This also helps set up a few future plots. It is not meant to be the best scene, but I did want to play around with water effects that I have seen before -- additionally, the timing was right with the infighting happening right now.

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Thorgin Haroldson grunted at the other travelers who just arrived at the oasis. He did not like being summoned by a Kaliphlinite, especially one who did not show up to his own meetings. Dugal MacLean had once done him a favor and provided a whole winter’s supply of food during the last Ice Giant raid on his home village in Mitgardia, and for that he owed him. Although, with a reputation like Thorgins – a Great General – rarely would he let someone summon him. People usually came to him. Now retired, Thorgin wondered why he was there.

DSC_1907 by skaforhire, on Flickr

The Avalonian was Baron Conway, part of the original Avalonian “Flight of Dragons.” He was considered one of Historica’s Great Generals also. Why was Dugal gathering generals? The man was arrogant for his young age, but his reputation was large enough to back it up.

Representing the Kaliphlite military was the retired Great General Blane Redfist. He arrived shortly after Conway. Heck, Thorgin thought Redfist was dead. Finally representing Dugal’s interests was a GEAR Co. Trader and diplomat, Abu’dun. Dugal had sent his messages through Abu’dun and had told them to meet here, in the Northern Badlands – too far for a portal from anywhere. They were at a tiny oasis that had only been on one of the many maps of Kaliphlin Thorgin owned.

DSC_1905 by skaforhire, on Flickr

“Hail” Thorgin said to the other generals and the diplomat. “What is the reasoning for dragging us out here to the middle of nowhere? We could have met in my mead hall!”

“I am afraid this meeting had to take place where we could be sure absolutely no one could eavesdrop. “ Abu’dun said. “We are just missing one more…”

“Who?” said Conway.

“Restal Mathis.” Abu’dun said.

“I will not tolerate that… that… man.” Conway said. Perhaps the bad blood between Avalonia and Nocturnus was beginning to boil over. However, Conway had right to dislike Restal – he was one of the most fearsome generals in the world when he lived, now that he was dead, it was thought that he was unstoppable. Apparently military minds lasted, even when the brain disintegrated.

As if on cue, Restal entered from the east. “Oh, a little Avalonian boy for me to chew on!” He said.

DSC_1910 by skaforhire, on Flickr

“Enough, we must talk about the task at hand.” Abu’Dun said.

“I think not, I will be rid of this abomination before any deals are struck between us.” With that, Baron Conway drew his weapon. Restal was off his spectral horse in no time and into attack mode. The men fought back and forth for a minute before the ground started to shake and the water in the oasis began to boil.

DSC_1912 by skaforhire, on Flickr

All five men stopped and surrounded the pool. Out came a shimmer water woman, maybe a Water Sprite? Thorgin’s first instinct was to strike, this clearly was an elemental trap sent by Victor. Why had Dugal sent them to this trap? Was he a traitor?

DSC_1897 by skaforhire, on Flickr

But instead of attacking them, the woman began to talk. “Fools” she whisped, “You fight each other when the real enemy lay in Cedrica. Victor had the whole world turning upside down, this is no time for the guilds to fight. You must work together. Even those of us of the elements are enslaved by his power, you must free us and return the land to the way it was!”

Conway and Restal looked at one another and Thorgin could see that their heads were twisting around the sprite’s words. The Sprite continued. “The strife is getting out of hand as Victor gets stronger. The Avalonians are too proud, the Kaliphlinites are too smug, the Mitgardians look too hard for order and the Nocturni quest power too much. The kingdom is unraveling, and you must all put your differences aside to stop this.”

DSC_1902 by skaforhire, on Flickr

Conway almost looked ashamed. Thorgin had no idea what emotion the skeletal Restal was displaying.

The sprite continued. “ One of Victor’s Armies march towards Mpya Stedor. A second marches for Albion, and a third marches for Queenscross. They are gathering support quickly, and there may be even more armies to come. You must pull together and defeat these major threats one by one, because they are too big for any one guild to fight on their own. “

DSC_1903 by skaforhire, on Flickr

The four generals looked at each other. “What can we do? Asked Thorgin. “And why did Dugal call us together?”

“You four, respected amongst you guilds, need to convince your guildmates to put down the knives they have at each other’s throats and start formulating a plan to destroy Victor's armies.

“I think we can do that” Redfist said. “But why are you doing Dugal’s legwork for him? Where is he?”

“I owe him greatly, and he still searches… I must go, Victor’s powers are pulling me back. I apologize now for anything I may do to you or your men in the future. I have no control.” With that, she vanished into the water.

Restal was the first to speak. “We need to get down to planning.”

Abu’dun nodded. “Yes, I have the plans here for what Lord Dugal has in mind for that army approaching Queenscross. Let me know you…”

With that they talked and planned. It was decided that the generals would go back to their guilds and try to recruit forces for these major battles, and formulate some sort of overall strategy. They would meet back at the Oasis in one week.

Edited January 18, 2013 by SkaForHire

[Maxim I]

Epic story!!!

I hope the message reaches all the Guilds on time

Very nice way to represent them!

[Niku]

OMG Things are going to start getting more interesting.

[Brickington]

I think you could have had better minifigs, but great story!

[Kayne]

Very cool plotline....looking forward to your CVI entry

[NiceMarmot]

Very nicely done. Exactly the kind of thing I should be working on, rather than trying to produce some huge, perfectly detailed MOC. Just crank 'em out!

[SkaForHire]

I think you could have had better minifigs, but great story!

Like I said, I whipped it up quickly. I also have this problem with mixing and matching fig parts... I think it is my OCD, it was really hard for me to rip apart the Rohan and Dragon Knight figs to combine parts of both. As an army builder, I like them to look like they originally came... It took me forever to create a sig-fig for the same reason. But, I am getting better at ripping figs apart. I probably should have put a different torso under the Kaliphlin guy, the old torsos (and faces really) don't stand up well with the new stuff -- for better or for worse.

[gedren_y]

Is this for the Kaliphlin mini-challenge? It's a good story, and the build isn't cluttered so the interaction of the characters becomes the focus. The older torso makes the Kaliphlin general look correct, as the style of his clothing would reflect an earlier generation. It is understandable, though, about wear on the older printing. To preserve your older torsos in the future, I suggest investing in a semi-gloss clear sealant paint. I plan to when I get around to making custom decals and paint designs. I would also like to know where Thorgin's weapon and shield come from.

[SkaForHire]

Is this for the Kaliphlin mini-challenge? It's a good story, and the build isn't cluttered so the interaction of the characters becomes the focus. The older torso makes the Kaliphlin general look correct, as the style of his clothing would reflect an earlier generation. It is understandable, though, about wear on the older printing. To preserve your older torsos in the future, I suggest investing in a semi-gloss clear sealant paint. I plan to when I get around to making custom decals and paint designs. I would also like to know where Thorgin's weapon and shield come from.

They are Mega blocks. The shield is from the Viking ship that they produced about 15 years ago - I bought like 10 of these for the hulls. The weapons I believe came from their fantasy line from around 2003/4ish. They are actually my brother's megablock weapons, almost all of these figs were sent to me as a "scavenger hunt" by my sister, who basically went into our mother's basement and dug out a bunch of MFs from my primary collection and sent them to me. I mixed and matched the old figs into a few of these generals. In the campaign for Queenscross story, I will use some of the others.

OH... And for your original question - No, this was not intended for the challenge. I will still put together something for that. I think NM was just referring to getting more Kali MOCs out there.

Edited January 18, 2013 by SkaForHire

[PenPlays]

We can hear the thundering footsteps of The Hand marching west, just beyond the hills. Denitor lies quiet, but we've recieved your message and will see what can be mustered up here to defend Albion.

[SkaForHire]

Report from Lord Petera's northern scouts. it seems the water sprite was correct - The large Army that moved out from the west of Cedrica did indeed split into two armies, one large army heading towards Albion, and the other headed towards Queenscross. It is assumed this army means to cross the great bridge there and head towards Petraea to hit that guild capital as well. These armies are too big to use magical portals to move them, and thus may spell destruction across the land they march. Currently there is no exact location information about the other army in Kaliphlin that is heading towards Mpya Stedor - our scouts sent that way have vanished without a trace.

Word has it that my brother, Dugal, plans on fighting a delaying action against the Army moving towards Queenscross while a larger army is assembled. Perhaps other harassing forces may help him keep that army moving south too quickly?

-Petera MacLean

Second Lord of Eastgate

[NiceMarmot]

Word has it that my brother, Dugal, plans on fighting a delaying action against the Army moving towards Queenscross while a larger army is assembled. Perhaps other harassing forces may help him keep that army moving south too quickly?

We will immediately send forces north from the coast on the Petraea road to help. Unfortunately, they may not arrive in Queenscross in time, but certainly can be in Petraea before Revolword's army. We can probably spare a few ships to head to Mpya Stedor, as things in the Muk-Muk Valley have been quiet recently. There have been reports of marauders near the Dune Sea; we'll see if we can deal with them on the way to Petraea. Pics to follow hopefully.

[Rogue Angel]

I will choose not to comment on the use of Megabloks.....

I really like the story in this build. Perhaps this is a precursor to your Challeng VI Entry? I also like the attempt at quelling the unrest between the guilds. All this unrest may be good for directing into epic Challenge entries.

Nice build!